Ghana vs US size comparison
How Big Is Ghana Compared to the US?
The US is about 41 times the size of Ghana. Ghana is about 4.2 times as densely populated. Drag Ghana over the US below to see the difference at true size.
Hawaii and the territories are not drawn.
Printable Ghana vs US size comparison
Free to print or share: Ghana laid over the US at true size, with both areas, on one landscape A4 or US Letter page.
Key facts
- Area of Ghana
- 238,533 km² (92,098 sq mi)
- Area of the US
- 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi)
- Size difference
- The US is about 41 times bigger
- Closest US state in size
- Michigan (250,486 km²)
- Population (2025)
- Ghana 35,064,272; the US 341,784,857
- Ghana's rank by area
- 80th-largest of 197
How big Ghana is compared with the US
The US is about 41 times the size of Ghana: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 238,533 km² (92,098 sq mi). Even the 48 contiguous states alone, without Alaska, could hold Ghana about 34 times. Ghana is bigger than 39 of the 50 US states and smaller than the other 11; the state closest in size is Michigan (250,486 km²). It is the 80th-largest of the world's 197 countries, and the 33rd-largest of 54 in Africa; the US is the third-largest.
Ghana has about 35 million people (2025), the 47th-most populous country in the world, against 342 million in the US. With 147 people per km² it is about 4.2 times as crowded as the US (35 per km²), the 63rd-most densely populated country.
Ghana and the US on a world map
Ghana reaches from 5°N to 11°N; the US from 19°N to 71°N, with Hawaii in the south and Alaska in the far north. Most world maps use the Mercator projection, which enlarges places more the further they are from the Equator. It draws Ghana about 1.02 times its real size and the US about 2.3 times (Alaska far more than Florida). So on a normal world map the US looks about 93 times the size of Ghana, when it is really about 41 times. The equal-area map above shows the real difference.
Where Ghana is
Ghana's capital, Accra, is 8,480 km (5,270 miles) from Washington, D.C. as the crow flies. Ghana borders 3 countries: Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Togo.
Ghana and US in numbers
| Ghana | US | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 238,533 km² 92,098 sq mi | 9,833,517 km² 3,796,741 sq mi | The US is 41× bigger |
| Population (2025) | 35,064,272 | 341,784,857 | The US has 9.7× more |
| Rank by area | 80th-largest | Third-largest | of 197 countries |
| People per km² | 147 | 35 | Ghana is 4.2× denser |
| Capital | Accra | Washington, D.C. | 8,480 km apart |
| Neighbouring countries | 3 | 2 |
Ghana compared with US states
Frequently asked questions
Is Ghana bigger than the US?
No. The US is about 41 times the size of Ghana: 9,833,517 km² (3,796,741 sq mi) against 238,533 km² (92,098 sq mi).
How many times would Ghana fit into the US?
About 41 times (41.22). Into the 48 contiguous states alone, about 34 times.
Which US state is Ghana closest in size to?
Michigan (250,486 km²). Ghana is about the same size as Michigan.
Is Ghana bigger than Texas?
No. Texas is about 3 times the size of Ghana.
Which has more people, Ghana or the US?
The US: about 342 million people in 2025, about 9.7 times the 35 million in Ghana.
Why does Ghana look so small on a world map?
Most world maps use the Mercator projection, which stretches places more the further they are from the Equator. The US is further from the Equator than Ghana, so it is stretched more. On a Mercator map the US looks about 93 times the size of Ghana, not 41.
Where does Ghana rank by size?
Ghana is the 80th-largest of the world's 197 countries by total area and the 33rd-largest in Africa. The US is the third-largest.
How far is Ghana from the US?
Ghana's capital, Accra, is 8,480 km (5,270 miles) from Washington, D.C. in a straight line.
Sources
- Areas: CIA World Factbook (total area, land and water). US states: US Census Bureau.
- Populations: World Bank, World Development Indicators (2025).
- Outlines are drawn on an equal-area projection, so their sizes on the map match their real areas.